Wine of the Week

Argentine Malbec is one of the most popular selections on wine enthusiasts' lists of "big red" finds. This family-owned winery, founded by Valentin Bianchi in 1928, remains among Mendoza's top-rated producers. Aged 14 months in 80 percent French and 20 percent American oak, the wine was bottle-aged another year before release. Made from 100 percent Malbec from three separate, single vineyards, the wine exhibits the grape's intense color, characteristic silkiness and concentration of red and dark fruit aromas and flavors. Additional aromatic nuances of tar, tobacco, smoke and vanilla are followed by spice, earth, oak notes and firm tannins leading to a long finish. Decant an hour or more to aerate before serving. It's good with beef, pork and hearty cheeses. Where to buy it: Swirl, Dorignac's and Rouses in Uptown. Where to drink it: Bayona, Commander's Palace and the House of Blues. (Listings current at press time.)